Thomas Wattiez is a supply technician at the Logistics Readiness Center Benelux’s property book office, 405th Army Field Support Brigade. The local Belgian national chose to quit his job at Google to pursue work with the US military at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. “I have the privilege of serving in the best army in the world,” Wattiez said.
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CHIÈVRES AIR BASE, Belgium — Landing a job at Google is a dream come true for many people, but apparently not so much for Thomas Wattiez. The Belgian national who resides near the French border about 25 minutes from Chièvres Air Base left Google to pursue a job in the US military about 2.5 years ago.
And he said he was glad he did.
Now a Supply Technician in the Real Estate Books Office of the Logistics Readiness Center Benelux, 405th Army Field Support Brigade, Wattiez said it was a pleasure and a privilege to work for the U.S. Army and the 405th AFSB in Chièvres.
“I have the privilege of serving in the best army in the world,” said the 31-year-old officer in charge. “And our customers come from all over the world.”
It’s interesting and exciting to work with so many different people from different cultures, backgrounds and places, said Wattiez, who enjoys watching Irish and French rugby matches and the American National Hockey League in his spare time.
“I work for the LRC but also for the garrison (US Army Garrison Benelux). I look after about 40 clients, just the garrison,” said Wattiez, who also enjoys working out at the gym in his spare time.
The real estate books office, also called DPB, carries out cyclical inventories on a quarterly and annual basis as well as monthly inventories on sensitive items. The PBO also participates in all Property Loss Financial Responsibility Investigations, or FLIPL reports, when an item in the property book is lost or damaged. Wattiez, as a PBO Supply Technician, supports all of these operations and more.
“In total, we have about 80 manual receipt holders who are our customers,” Wattiez said. “It’s a lot of equipment and a lot of money, actually – it’s tens of millions of dollars.
Wattiez said that includes various types of heavy equipment, trucks, landscaping machinery, computer systems, laptops, monitors, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing fixtures and more. Again.
“The PBO supports USAG Benelux and helps keep everyone under control. For example, when purchasing new computer equipment, someone must ensure that this new equipment is cataloged and accounted for correctly. It’s our role and it’s very important,” said Wattiez.
“I’m glad I worked for Google, but I’m more excited to work for the US military and LRC Benelux now,” he added.
LRC Benelux is one of seven LRCs under the command and control of the 405th AFSB. LRC performs facility logistics support and services to include supply, maintenance and transportation as well as operations of apparel distribution facilities, hazardous materials management, personal property and household goods, passenger travel, non-tactical vehicle and garrison equipment management, and property book operations. When it comes to providing day-to-day installation services, LRC Benelux directs, manages and coordinates a variety of operations and activities in support of USAG Benelux.
LRC Benelux reports to the 405th AFSB, which is assigned to the US Army Sustainment Command and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, US Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides material support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater support logistics; synchronize acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging the U.S. Army Materiel Command Materiel Enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official site and the official Facebook site.
